Bedfordshire County Cricket League Chairman Andy Watts wins national OSCA

A host of current and former England cricketers including Steven Finn, Graeme Swann, Kate Cross, Lydia Greenway, Jenny Gunn and Michael Vaughan turned out in force on October 6th to recognise the efforts of grass-roots volunteers at the NatWest Outstanding Service to Cricket Awards (OSCAs) for 2014.

over 3 years ago | Sally Church

The event, which was staged at Lord’s and hosted by BBC Radio’s Test Match Special commentator Jonathan Agnew, brought together 400 people from across the recreational game to celebrate achievements in volunteering roles in eight different categories.

The list of national winners included club cricketers, coaches, scorers and administrators and ranged in age from 20-year old volunteer Ashley Goldsmith from the Isle of Wight to the oldest ever winner of a NatWest OSCA 90-year-old Maurice Vaughan from Derbyshire.

Bedfordshire's Andy Watts won the national OSCA in the category of Leagues and Boards. Renowned for his innovative thinking, Andy has changed the format of competitions to improve player retention and increase the number of teams in the Bedfordshire County League. Andy also introduced a women’s team to the men’s league – the first in the country to play regularly alongside their male colleagues at this level.

Andy collected his award from England and Middlesex fast bowler Steven Finn. He commented: "This award is not just for me but it is for the whole of my committee who give up a tremendous amount of their free time to help run the best Sunday league in the country. So I thank them for all their hard work."